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2000 Town Car. Random blinker clicking - where's the ground?

5 messages,  Last post on Sep 05, 2009 at 4:14 AM

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#1 of 5 2000 Town Car. Random blinker clicking - where's the ground? by tdc1 Jun 22, 2009 (12:22 pm)
Just recently my 2000 TC (48 k miles, well maintained) has started clicking -- not really constant, but random and very frequent, as though something with a sensor is turning a relay on and off. Sounds like the blinker, but it's hard to tell if the click is actually coming from the blinker switch. Nothing seems to be affected, but I'm off on an 1800-mile drive soon, and the clicking is annoying and something must be getting way too much use.   Blinkers work fine when turned on, left/right and front/rear, whether the engine's running or merely ignition on. When the blinkers aren't on, i.e. lever in neutral position, there's the sound of blinker -- uneven, not rhythmic, random but frequent -- but no lights flash front or rear. With ignition on only, there's some of it, i.e. several random clicks, but it then seems to stop or at least subside. With engine running, it's ongoing. In both modes it stops when brakes are applied, then starts up again when brakes are released.   Form what I gather, everything seems to point to either the blinker switch or the lighting control module being wonky. Before delving into that, a crucial thing to check, and in principle easy, is the ground: it can be subject to corrosion.   And there's where I'm stuck -- where is the ground, and how do I get to it? I've searched for diagrams and photos, so far in vain. If the problem is only that the ground needs cleaning up, I'd hate to have to take it to the $$$dealer$$$.   Anyone know where the ground is, and how to get to it? Replies to this message: euphonium (Jun 22, 2009 8:33 pm) tdc1 (Jun 23, 2009 8:22 am) bookman4 (Sep 05, 2009 2:48 am) tdc1 (Sep 05, 2009 4:14 am)
#2 of 5 Re: 2000 Town Car. Random blinker clicking - where's the ground? [tdc1] by euphonium Jun 22, 2009 (8:33 pm)
Replying to: tdc1 (Jun 22, 2009 12:22 pm) it stops when brakes are applied makes me ask........   Could the clicking be related to the Traction Control Module? I don't have an answer as to where you would locate the Ground connection. Replies to this message: tdc1 (Jun 23, 2009 8:22 am)
#3 of 5 Re: 2000 Town Car. Random blinker clicking - where's the ground? [euphonium] by tdc1 Jun 23, 2009 (8:22 am)
Replying to: euphonium (Jun 22, 2009 8:33 pm) Thanks -- another good possibility to add to the list!   meanwhile, still haven't found the ground.
#4 of 5 Re: 2000 Town Car. Random blinker clicking - where's the ground? [tdc1] by bookman4 Sep 05, 2009 (2:48 am)
Replying to: tdc1 (Jun 22, 2009 12:22 pm) Have you had any luck sorting out the problem?   Our 1999 Towncar started doing exactly the same thing yesterday. It does it randomly driving down the highway. Touching the brake causes the clicking to stop. No lights blink while the clicking is going on, yet the turn signals, flashers and brake lights all work correctly. I've noticed that just sitting still, I can make it click just by moving the steering wheel. The clicking may be fairly slow and irregular or it may be very fast.   I wonder about the ground issue also. Is it possible that a wire has worked loose in the steering column? Or is it possible that the switch that causes the cruise control to disconnect when the brake pedal is pressed could be bad? All lights work properly, possibly ruling out turn signal switches. The cruise control switches are in the steering wheel. Brake disconnects cruise and causes clicking to stop..any possible connection?   Thanks.   bookman4 Replies to this message: tdc1 (Sep 05, 2009 4:14 am)
#5 of 5 Re: 2000 Town Car. Random blinker clicking - where's the ground? [bookman4] by tdc1 Sep 05, 2009 (4:14 am)
Replying to: bookman4 (Sep 05, 2009 2:48 am) bookman, no, I haven't really had any luck. I did get replies on another forum that suggested it's most likely a problem with the ground, located under the carpet and behind a plastic flash panel, down low just forward of the passenger-side door opening.   Mine stopped clicking a few days after I posted here, and I couldn't figure out how to get the flash panel off without destroying it, so I didn't try. The clicking has started up again with great enthusiasm just lately, though, so I may get up the nerve to start pulling it apart soon. The diagnosis that it's the ground seems to be a good educated guess, and worth trying for a fix with that, IMO.   As for what it's affecting, good idea: cruise may be a possibility given that braking stops the clicking. But the sound I get is the same clicking as when blinkers are on (even though, as in your case, my blinker lights aren't affected).   Maddening little glitch, whatever it is, and the long-term effect can't be good.

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